What’s Happening
Redlands Coast will kick off NAIDOC Week with a Sunday filled with cultural celebrations. The Redland City Council is hosting the Redlands Coast NAIDOC Cultural Celebration on Sunday, July 7th, from 9 am to 2 pm at Raby Bay Harbour Park in Cleveland.
Redland City Mayor Jos Mitchell emphasised that NAIDOC Week 2024, which runs from July 7th to 14th, is an important opportunity to honour First Nations culture and history. “The Redlands Coast NAIDOC Cultural Celebration on July 7th is a free community event that will showcase traditional and contemporary Quandamooka music and dancing,” the Mayor said.
Significance of the Celebration
The Quandamooka People, Traditional Custodians of much of Redlands Coast, have lived on the lands and seas surrounding North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) for at least 21,000 years. This celebration is a tribute to their enduring presence and cultural heritage. The event will feature a traditional smoking ceremony, cultural demonstrations, information stalls, weaving workshops, and activities for children.
Entertainment Line-Up
- Adam James: A Quandamooka singer/songwriter, will perform with his band. James is currently collaborating with Redland Performing Arts Centre (RPAC) on a major Indigenous music project, “The Great First Nations Songbook,” which will premiere later this year. The project is supported by Arts Queensland’s First Nations Commissioning Fund.
- Other performers include:
- Georgia Corowa
- Yulu-Burri-Ba dancers
- Wagga Torres Strait Island Dance Company
- Suga Cane Mamas
- Colesy
- Edgar Conlon
- Sachem: A Minjerribah-raised rapper/singer with ties to both the Noonuccal People of Minjerribah and African America. Sachem’s music reflects First Nation and African American perspectives within the Australian environment.
What the People Say
Mayor Mitchell expressed her excitement for the event. “I’m looking forward to enjoying the celebration and encourage community members to join in the wonderful activities planned for the day,” she said.
NAIDOC Week Theme
The national NAIDOC Week theme for 2024 is “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud,” celebrating resilience, unity, and pride, and highlighting the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture.
Looking Ahead
The celebrations continue at 7:30 pm on Saturday, July 13th, with a performance by cultural leader David Bindi Hudson at RPAC. “From Campfire to Stage Light” aligns with NAIDOC Week’s theme and is described as an “epic journey toward self-determination and Indigenous pride” through Hudson’s life experience. Hudson is a storyteller, singer-songwriter, dancer, visual artist, and actor, and co-founder of the award-winning dance troupe Tjapukai.
For more information, visit redland.qld.gov.au/naidoc.
